Fire-escape with water-tower attachment.



Y A Tatented Nov. I8, |902. J. H. McPARTLAND. FIRE ESCAPE WITH WATER TOWER ATTACHMENT.

(Application tiled Apr. 5, 19(11.)

3 Shaets-Sheet l.

-(No ladet) No. 713,911. Patented Nov. 18, |902.

J. H. MGPARTLAKU.

FIRE ESCAPE WITH WATER TQYEB. ATTACHMENT. (Application med Apr. .'s 1901..)v (lo Indem 3 Sheets-#Sheet 2.

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No. 713,9". Patented Nov. I8., i902.

J. H. MGPARTLAND. FIRE ESCAPE WITH WATER TOWER ATTACHMENT.

(Application led Apr. 5, 1901.) (In lodel.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 3* wwbww. E

UNITED STATES PATENT OEEICE.

JAMES H. MCPARTLAND, OF HOULTON, MANE.

FIRE-ESCAPE WITH WATER-TOWER ATTACHMENT.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 713,911, dated November 18, 1902.

Application tiled April 5, 1901. Serial No. 54,408. (No model.)

T0 @ZZ wtmn it may concern,.-

Be it known that I, JAMES H. MCPARTLAND, a citizen of the United States, residing in Houlton, county of Aroostook, and State of Maine, have invented an Improvement in Fire-Escapes with Vater-TowerAttachments, of which the following description, in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a specification, like letters on the drawings representing like parts.

This invention relates to fire-escapes of that class known as carriage-escapes,77 and has for its object to improve the construction of such an escape to the end that while compact and light enough to be drawn through city streets to the scene of a rire it may be quickly raised to a height of several stories and may be operated without change of base toV provide a means of egress from several windows in the same story and, furthermore, to the end that a line of hose may be raised to the height of the various stories.

In accordance with this invention a telescopic tower is provided comprising several sections normally contained one within another and adapted to be carried in a substantially horizontal position on a suitable wheeled truck, and means are provided for raising said tower into vertical position on said truck, and means are also provided for projecting its several sections to a greater or less height. A turret is attached to one end of the innermost section of the telescopic tower, and when said tower is in vertical position said turret will occupy a position at the top of the tower, and means are provided for revolving said turret. A gang plank or bridge is provided, which is connected to said turret and which normally occupies a position substantially parallel to the tower, whether said tower is disposed horizontally or vertically, and means are provided for moving said gang-plank into horizontal position when the tower is in vertical position and for projecting it from said turret for a greater or less distance to thereby provide a passage from the windows of the burning building to said turret. A suitable extension-ladder leads from the truck to the turret, which is adapted to be raised with said tower. The innermost section of said tower is made tubular, as a pipe, and to one end of it a hose may be coupled, and to the other end of it a nozzle may be connected, and as said innermost section is raised the line of hose will be drawn up.

Figure l shows in side elevation a fire-escape with water-tower attachment embodying this invention, the parts being in the position they will occupy when going to the scene of a tire or in out-ofuse position. Fig. 2 is a vertical section and partial elevation of the apparatus, showing the partsin the position they will occupy when in use. Figs. 3 and 4l are sectional details of aportion of the tower. Fig. 5 is a detail showing the means for projecting the several sections of the tower. Fig. 6 is a detail showing the turret and a portion of the gang-plank. Fig. 7 isa plan view of the turret, a portion of the gangplankbeingrepresented bydottedlines. Fig. 8 is an end view of the apparatus shown in Fig. l, the turret being removed for clearness. Fig. 9 is a detail of the gang-plank and its support.

a is a framework or flooring supported on and carried by a suitable truck, and said framework will be hereinafter referred to as a truck-frame.

tis the bottom or containing section of a telescoping tower, and while I herein show and describe said tower as comprising four sections t t t2 t3 l desire it to be understood that a greater or less number of sections may be employed. l also herein describe and show said tower as being cylindrical, but it may be otherwise constructed. The sections t, t, t2, and t3 are made as tubes, of steel or other suitable material, and the outside diameter of each section or tube is made somewhat smaller than the inside diameter of its immediate containing-section for a purpose to be hereinafter shown. At the, lower end of each section a laterally-projecting liange t5 is disposed, made sufficiently wide to fit snugly the inner diameter of the immediate containing-section and yet permit longitudinal or telescopic movement of one relative to the other. A cap t is adapted to be screwed or otherwise secured to the top of each of said sections, and said cap t6 has a central hole through it of sufficient size to permit the next contained section to passv snugly through it, and as each section is somewhat smaller than its immediate containing-section said flange 155 and said cap 155 will prevent lateral movement between the sections and will furthermore prevent the contained section from being projected entirely out of its containing-section. On the outside of each section t' 152 t5 is disposed a laterally-projecting spline 4154, extending longitudinallythe entire length of said sections, and each of said caps 156 is formed or provided with a splineway for said spline, rotary motion of the sections being thereby prevented. When not in use, said sections t t2 t5 are all contained in said bottom section 15, and said section 15 is supported and carried in a substantially horizontal position on the truckframe a, as shown in Fig. 1, and means are provided for turning said section tand its contained sections into a substantially vertical position on said truck -frame and for thereaftersimultaneously projecting the several sections 15' 2153. On said section t, near the lower end thereof, is secured a tightlyfitting baud or hoop 157 of suitable width, and on said hoop at diametrically opposite points thereon are disposed a pair of trunnions 158 t5. Supports ct a are disposed on said truckframe, having bearings which receive and hold said trunnions. On each of said trun nions t0 is mounted a toothed sector 159 159, and on the under side of the truck-frame are located two parallel longitudinally-movable toothed racks a2 a2, which are adapted to engage and operate said sectors 159 150. Said racks a2 a2 are connected by cross-bars c5115, disposed at substantially right angles thereto and forming therewith asliding oblong frame. A rotatable shaft a4 extends along under said truck-frame in parallelism to said racks and substantially midway between them, and said shaft rotates in suitable bearings d5, disposed near the end of the truck-frame, and said shaft a4 is held from longitudinal movement by the bearing-pieces entering an annular groove in the shaft. A portion of said shaft a4 extends beyond said truck-frame and has a squared end adapting it to be rotated by a crank d10 or other suitable means. The portion of said shaft which extends along under said truck fratrie is threaded and passes through and is in engagement with a correspondingly-threaded hole in the cross-bar a3, and when said shaft a1 is rotated suiiciently in one direction said racks 0,2612 will be moved and will in turn move said sectors t9 159 to turn said tower-section ton its pivots,with its contained sections, toasubstantially vertical position. It will be seen that when said towersection 15 and its contained sectionsare in such vertical position reverse rotation of said shaft a1 will restore said section t to its normal horizontal position. A rotatable shaft a0, constructed and disposed similarly to said shaft a1, passes through a cross-bar ct", which is supported by and movable along on a pair of parallel rods a0 a0, suitably disposed under said truck-frame, and when said shaft a0 is rotated said bar a7 will be moved along ou said supporting-rods a8 as. A pair of pulleys a0 a9 are jourualed in brackets secured to one side of said bar a7, and a pair of chains, ropes, cords, or other suitable liexible connections @101110, each fastened at one end to said truckframe a, as at a11 111, pass over said pulleys a9 a9 on said bar 61,7, and thence over two similar and respectively-placed pulleys a15 a15,dis posed on said truck-frame a near said brackets a' a'. Said chains d10 0,10 then pass along the outside of the section 15 and over pulleys 1510 10, disposed on diametrically opposite sides of the top of said section 15, thence through holes 15111511, provided in the cap 150, into the space between said sections 15 and t and are fastened to the flange 155 on said section 15', as at 1512 1510. As saidshaft d5 is rotated in one direction the cross-bar a7 will be moved from the position shown in Fig. l to the position shown in Fig. 2, and the chains 0.101110 will be drawn, and said section 15 will be projected from its containing-section, and by means hereinafter shown the sections 152 and t3 will be simultaneously projected. Chains 1513 1513 are fastened at 15111514 to diametrically opposite sides of the top of said section 15 and thence pass over pulleys 1530 on top of said section 15, thence down through holes in the cap Y on said section, and are connected to the lian ge at the bottom of the section 152 in a similar manner to said chains d10 d10. Each section is thus connected similarly to section t2, and it will be seen that when said shaft a5 is rotated in one direction said chains L10 d10 will be actuated to project said section 15' out of its containing-section 15, and said chains 15 13 will in turn be actuated by said section 15 to simultaneously project said section 152,- and the remaining sections will likewise be projected in a similar manner. It Will be understood when said sections are in projected position that by reverse rotation of said shaft a0 the several sections will by gravity resume their contained positions. While I have herein shown the shaft d0 and the bar a7 moved thereby as an actuating means for said chains a10 11,10, I desire it to be understood that other means for actuating said chains may be employed without depart-ing from the spirit and scope of my invention. A turret is provided comprising a circular base or flooring b' and a suitable railing or bulwark b2 rising from it. Through the center of said base h is fixed a hollow post b3, which projects both above and below said base, and diverging braces b4 connect the lower end of said post with the outer edge of the base. On the top of said top tower-section t3, and preferably removably connected therewith, is disposed a longitudinal connection 1515, which is made tubular for a purpose to be hereinafter stated, and is of a sufficient size to enter and pass through said turret-post 60. A collar or nut 10 is placed on said extension 1515 at itsj unction with said tower-section153,which secures the extension 15 in place, and said col' IOO IIO

lar or nut serves as a seat, rest, or support for the turret-post 52, which rests upon it, so that said turret and its post may be revolved about said extension 15. Near the top of said turret-post 52, above the door 5, is secured a crown-toothed wheel 55, which is engaged by a pinion 56, having its bearings on an arm projecting at right angles from the extension 15, which latter extends entirely through and projects above said post 52. The pinion 5G is rotated by a crank 19 or other means and when actuated will revolve the turret-post and turret. A suitable pawl 20 is provided to hold said turret from being accidentally revolved. Means are provided whereby a line of hose may be connected to said turret and there be directed on the burning building, and, as herein shown, said tower extension 15 and section 2, as above stated, are both made tubular, and to the lower end of the section 3 a hose h is attached by a hosecoupling 25, and at its upper end above the lioor of the turret an angular tubular arm h' is secured, to which is attached a hose and pipe by means of a hose-coupling 26. It will be seen that the line of hose h, attached to the coupling 25, will be drawn up when said tower is projected. Said turret is provided with a bridge or gang-plank c, and said gang-plank is adapted, when not in use, to depend from said turret, occupying a position substantially parallel to said tower t 2 3, as shown in Figs.

yl and 6, and may be moved into horizontal position for use and adjusted longitudinally, as shown in Fig. 2. Said gang-plank comprises, essentially, a hase or oor c' and snitable bulwarks or railings c2 c2 at opposite sides thereof and may be made of any practical width, but preferably not much longer than said tower-section A pair of upright posts 52 52 are Ipivotally connected at their lower ends to ears on the floor of the turret, said posts being placed a sufficient distance apart to permit of the longitudinal passage between them of said gang-plank c, and said turret-railing 52 and door 5' are cut away between said posts to permit said gang-plank to thus pass between. A rotatable shaft 5S passes through said posts 52 52 near their upper ends and is disposed at right angles thereto and is supported thereby, and said shaft 58 has fixed to it at a point substantially midway between said posts 52 52 a toothed wheel 52, and has also loosely mounted on either side of said toothed wheel rollers or wheels 510 510. The gang-plank c has a toothed rack c4, centrally disposed and running throughout its entire length on the under side of its floor e', which is heid in engagement with said toothed wheel 59. Clamps 511 511 are revolubly disposed on said shaft 58, which engage anges c3 c3 on the opposite sides of the gangplank for holding said gang-plank c with its rack c4 in engagement withsaid toothed wheel 5s, yet I wish it to be understood that said clamps will permit said iianges to slip along beneath them to enable the gang-plank to be moved longitudinally. It will be seen, therefore, that said gang plank c is revolubly mounted on and movable about said shaft 52 and may therefore depend more or less from said shaft and that as said shaft is rotated more or less by hand-wheels 515 515 or other suitable means said gang-plank will be moved longitudinally with respect to said shaft and may be manually or otherwise turned to a position substantially parallel to said turretbase 5'. Two upright posts 512 512 are erected on the floor of said turret-base, said posts being a suflcient distance apart to permit of the longitudinal passage between them of said gang-plank c, and said posts 512 512 are disposed at substantially diametrically opposite points to said posts 52 52, and it will therefore be seen that when said gang-plank is in aposition substantially parallel to said turretbase it may be moved longitudinally between said posts 512 512 by rotation of said shaft 52, the railing 52 being cut away to permit this, and said posts 512 512 are provided with lateral grooves or recesses (see dotted lines, Fig. 7) which receive saidl gang-plank flanges c3 c3, and thereby hold said gang-plank from any but longitudinal movement. To facilitate longitudinal movement of the gang-plank between said posts 512 512, a shaft or rod 513, bearing wheels or rollers loosely mounted thereon, is disposed and fixed at right angles between said posts 512 512, and said shaft is disposed at a suitable height to permit said gang-plank to rest on said rollers when in its horizontal position. lt wilibe seen, therefore, that said gang-plank may be projected more or less laterally from said turret and may be turned with said turret and may therefore be extended to any one of several windows on the same floor of a burning building by turning said turret. To enable said gang-plank c when in its depending position to be more compactly stored in a position substantially parallel to said tower 2 2, said posts 52 52 are pivoted at their bases to suitable ears, disposed so that said posts with Ithe connecting-shaft 5S may be tipped to an inclined position, and said gang-plank o will thereby in its depending position swing in closely to said tower t 2 3, as shown in Fig. 6. To hold said posts 52 52 in their upright position for operating said gang-plank c, a brace or braces 512 512 is pivotally connected to said shaft 58, and at its other end hasa laterally-projecting portion or portions 518, adapted to be received into a suitable recess or recesses 21 21 in a bar 22, extending from the shaft 513. To provide means of access to and egress from said turret to the ground, said turret-braces 51 51 are connected by ratlines 519 519,'thereby forming a sort of cage immediately underneath the floor of said turret, and traps or manholes 52O 520, provided with suitable covers, are provided in said floor to permit passage to and from said turret to said cage. To said tower extension 15, at a suitable point near said collar 111, is fixed a IOO IOS

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laterally-projecting platform 23, and said platform has a railing or bulwark adapted to fit closely, yet not in contact with said braces b4 b4 of said turret-cage. It will therefore be seen that said platform 23 is stationary while said turret may be revolved, yet said platform may be reached from said turret by means of the particular manhole and ratlines which are in closest proximity to said platform in any position of said turret. To said platform 23 is fixed the top of an eXtension-ladder d, of suitable construction, prefably formed with an equal number of sections to said tower, and said ladder-sections also preferably correspond in length to said tower-sections. The bottom of the lower ladder-section is xed to a point near the bottom of the lower tower-section t, and it will be seen that as said tower-sections are projected said ladder d will likewise be extended and will form at all times a passage between said platform 23 and said truck-frame. When said tower-sections are in their contained position, said ladder-sections will also be in contained position and will be moved to a horizontal position with said section t.

I claiml. Are-escape comprisinga tower, a i urret mounted on the top thereof, a vertically and horizontally movable gang-plank and a pivoted support on which said gang-plank is mounted and operates, said support being provided with means for moving said gangplank, substantially as described.

2. A fire-escape comprisinga tower, a turret mounted on the top thereof, a vertically and horizontally movable gang-plank, a pivoted support on which said gang-plank is mounted and operates, said support being provided with means for moving said gang-plank, and a stationary support for said gang-plank, substantially as described.

Are-escape cornprisingatower,aturret mounted on the top thereof, posts having a shaft journaled in their upper ends provided with avgear-wheel, and a gang-plank having a rack in engagement with said gear-wheel, substantially as described.

4. A fire-escape comprising a tower, a turret having a shaft journaled in their upper ends,

lprovided with a gear-wheel, and a gang-plank having a rack in engagement with said gearwheel, substantially as described.

5. A re-escape comprising a tower, a turret mounted on the top thereof, a platform projecting laterally from said tower below said turret, and a ladder leading from said platform, substantially as described.

6. In a fire-escape, the combination ofa pivoted telescopic tower, the sections of which are operatively connected together, two cords connected to one of the sections for operating it, the opposite ends of said cords being attached to a fixed point, several sets of pulleys over which said cords pass, a cross-bar bearing one of said sets of pulleys, a screw engaging said cross-bar for moving it along and thereby operating said cords, substan tially as described.

'7. A fire-escape comprising a supportingframe, a tower pivoted thereon, sectors secured to said tower, racks engaging said sectors, a cross-bar connecting said racks, and a rotatable screw-threaded shaft engaging said cross-bar, substantially as described.

8. A fire-escape comprising a supportingframe, a tower pivoted thereon, means for turning said tower on said pivot, supportingrods, a cross-bar movable along said rods, pulleys mounted on said cross-bar, pulleys mounted on said frame, flexible connections each fastened at one end to the frame and passing over the pulleys on said cross-bar and the pulleys on said frame and connected to one of the sections of said tower, and a rotatable screw-threaded shaft engaging said cross-bar, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

.I AMES I-I. MCPARTLAND.

Witnesses:

B. J. N oYEs, JOHN W. DECROW. 

